Health and Safety Work Act 2015 (HSWA)

The HSWA identifies clubs, societies, and other non-for-profit volunteer organisations as PCBU’s if you have one or more employees. If you have no employees, you will not be considered a PCBU. For the majority of our clubs, you are then not recognized as a PCBU and therefore have no legal obligations under the HSWA.

You do however have obligations to OUSA in being an affiliated club, Otago University if hosting events on campus and lastly but most importantly moral obligations to your club members. OUSA expect the committee members of our affiliated clubs and societies to:

• Identify, assess and control hazards
• Involve and inform your members of the above processes
• Monitor identified hazards
• Ensure members have the appropriate safety clothing and equipment
• Ensure club equipment is fit for purpose

Your affiliation to OUSA may be jeopardized if there are reasonable grounds for concern over your club’s health and safety management systems.

Here are some sample documents to get you started (but should not be limited to):

• Risk Register Template
• Risk Management Template 
• OUSA Event Hazard Assessment and Management
• Sample Hazard Register

OUSA Health and Safety Support

Keeping our students safe is our top priority. We are more than happy to assist in developng and progressing your health and safety systems. If your club requires equipment which is health and safety related, you may be able to receive an OUSA grant, follow the information on the Grants & Funding Resources Page.

University of Otago Health and Safety Support

The University of Otago have a dedicated team to develop and maintain heal and safety systems and provide a safe workplace for staff, students and visitors.  The Health and Safety Advisor (Nevan Trotter) is happy to offer Affiliated Clubs and Societies.  nevan.trotter@otago.ac.nz 

University of Otago have their own specific policies, procedure, guidelines and codes of practice.  You'll need to abide by these if you are operating on campus property e.g. hosting a cultural evening. Health and Safety Policy.  Additional Student Policies can be found here.